Safeguarding Sunday at St Mary’s
16th November - Caring for one another and creating a safer church
Each year, churches across the country take part in Safeguarding Sunday, a special day that reminds us of something simple but deeply important — that everyone who walks through our church door should feel safe, valued, and cared for.
Here at St Mary’s, Newchurch-in-Pendle, we’ll be marking the day by taking time to reflect on what it means to be a church family that truly looks after one another. Safeguarding isn’t just a set of rules; it’s part of our calling to love and protect each other as God calls us to do.
Recognising the past, learning for the future
We know that, sadly, the Church of England — like many institutions — hasn’t always got safeguarding right. There have been times when people have been hurt or let down, and we hold that truth with deep sorrow. At St Mary’s, we want to be honest about that and to keep learning from the past so that we can build a safer, kinder church for the future.
We are committed to creating an environment where everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, feels seen, heard, and safe.
Our commitment at St Mary’s
Our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Kelly Snowden, works closely with Rev’d Nick Murray and the Parochial Church Council to make sure that our safeguarding practice is strong, transparent and caring. This includes making sure that those who work with children, young people, and vulnerable adults are properly trained and supported.
If you ever have a concern or simply want to know more about safeguarding at St Mary’s, please do speak to Kelly, or visit the Church of England’s safeguarding pages.
Why it matters
At its heart, safeguarding is about living out the love of Christ. It’s about noticing when someone might need help, listening well, and creating a space where people can trust that they’ll be cared for.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me” (Matthew 19:14), reminding us that everyone matters in God’s eyes — especially those who are vulnerable.
Together, we’re learning, growing, and doing our best to make St Mary’s a church where everyone can find safety, belonging, and love.
Our Sunday services are at 9:30am, usually last about 50 minutes and we enjoy tea / coffee and biscuits and a natter after the service. Why not give us a try, we’re a friendly bunch 😉